The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-10

Anero was an unconscious look OF pain
in his face and tone of reproach 10 his
voice which she could understand. 4
"Oh Nathan r. she sobbed with her
face hidden On his shoulder, " don't imag-
Inc that love you any less, or am tired
Of our little home; but I do want so much
70 see father and mother"
Well, then, you shall 60, little wife.
Don't cry SO; / didn't know you cared 20
muob bat that settles it, you shall 60"
After MIRA Tracy and the baby were
gone, Martha looked around the unofna-
mented rooms and resolved there should
be something new, something bright and
pretty to welcome back the housekeeper.
The front room" had never been fur
nished, but after considering her resources
Martha thought she could manage it If
she could persuade Nathan into buying .
carpet.
"A carpet ? why Martha 9'' he ex-
claimed at her proposal, too astonished to
say more.
"What was Clara's old home like
You don't want her to notice too sharp
a contrast on her return" said the sister,
quietly.
~ may get new carpet" thought
fully; "but so many things would have
to follow"
"Nat, when father and mother died we
were going to divide the things, but you
had no home then, and while John and
stayed, everything remained the same.
When came here / sold or packed every.
thing, and there is big box for you,
which is on it's way out here. Besides
bedding and clothing, there are pictures,
curtains, vases, table-spread, and some
of mothers nice rugs. They will help to
furnish the room. guess you can afford
to buy a cane-seat rocker and two chairs
and We'll make the rest"
I'D like to know how"
"There are two bottomless chairs in
the granary; will ebonize the frames,
cushion seat and back, and with strips of
embroidery and heavy fringe they will be
handsome. The old rocker which is for
ever coming to pieces can be mended and
treated likewise, minus the rockers, and
you'll have an easy chair. A pine table,
which you can make, stained and var
nlshed, and covered with the spread, will
do nicely"
."Well, it sounds practicable. I'll help
all / can."
"There will be ottomans to make, a
mantel to put up, and q cornice for the
curtains. 1t will take all our spare time
all winter, but how pleased Clara will
be-"
81 intend to have everything nice for
her some day."
Yes, Nat; but a woman must have
hn
There is love Of the beautiful in every
woman's heart, and IL must be satisfied.
If surrounded by grand scenery, the mind
can feed on that; but here, in this level,
monOtonous country, believe the homes
should be very bright and attractive"
"There may be some truth in that, but
l never thought of it BEFORE" replied
Nathan.
I" 1t il not common for a man to think
about the home as woman does, for he
mingles with the world, while most of her
hours are spent inside the four walls.
Clara had no time to fix up anything /;
the baby was q sight Of trouble but If
you and the children help, we can do
wonders"
And they did. When Clara came
HOiuC lOuI HOutue IdIcT size 6CaTCely
knew the place.
"Come and look at your wife," whis-
pered Martha, when Nathan had finished
the chores and was ready for happy
evening.
There she was in the pretty room, chat
ting with the children. Joy and gladness
shone through her face, which had lost its
sharpness and pahor, and there was an
elasticity in her movements which re-
called her girlhood.
"She looks ten years younger, Martha !;
and if can help it she shall never wonk
so again. You've taught me lesson I'll
not forget. Wen take all the comfort
we can now if we never get big house."
Martha has made this so pretty that
we shan't want another" exclaimed
Clara hearing his last remark as they en-
tered the room. "Pm so thankful to you
all for this pleasant Homecoming"
martha deserves the thanks, for she
planned it ALL" said Nathan, catching up
the baby.
"You are q jewel, Martha; and to
think that | was afraid Of you and dreaded
to have you come !"
Was that because you knew I was an
old maid 2" said Martha laughing.
"Yes, that was just it. didn't know
you see, that you were such a blessed
old maid '"-Hc0rthst0ne.